The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a bilateral joint air exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) from February 9 to 12, 2026. The exercise brought together two distinct fighter platforms — India's Sukhoi Su-30MKI, a twin-engine supermaneuverable multirole aircraft, and Thailand's SAAB Gripen, a lightweight Swedish-designed fourth-generation multirole fighter — providing both sides with valuable exposure to dissimilar air combat tactics.

The exercise is part of India's expanding defence engagement with ASEAN nations, which has gained momentum in recent years as India's Act East Policy translates into deeper military-to-military cooperation across Southeast Asia. India and Thailand share historical and cultural ties rooted in Buddhist traditions and ancient trade routes, and the bilateral defence relationship has been growing steadily through joint exercises, training exchanges, and defence equipment cooperation.

The Su-30MKI vs. SAAB Gripen pairing in dissimilar combat training (DACT) simulates real-world threat environments where pilots encounter aircraft they may not have trained against, sharpening tactical adaptability and situational awareness. Such exercises improve interoperability between partner air forces and help build mutual trust.

For Thailand, which operates the Gripen under a continuing modernisation programme, the exercise offers training value against one of Asia's most potent airframes. For India, sustained engagement with ASEAN air forces supports its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which seeks to build a network of capable partner nations across the region. The exercise also reinforces India's positioning as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.